CenturyLink workers in West closer to striking

DENVER -- Unionized CenturyLink workers in 13 western states, including Arizona, are moving
closer to striking.

The Communication Workers of America announced Thursday that its executive
board has authorized the union's president to set a strike date. Setting a date
would be the final step in going on strike but that hasn't happened yet.

Nearly 90 percent of workers voted to authorize a strike in October.

The union and CenturyLink have been unable to reach a new contract to cover
13,000 employees who formerly worked for Qwest Communications. The employees
include customer service agents, network technicians and Internet support
workers.

The union said one of the disagreements is over whether to bring more jobs back
to the United States.

The union approved a strike in 2008 but a work stoppage was never ordered.